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This is a testament to never missing an annual checkup. I'm 49, and haven't missed for 14 years. I only started because I needed to buy additional life insurance. I decided that I was going to be a big boy, and not miss them anymore. I've always watched my weight, always eaten healthy and work out regularly. At the age of 40, Dr. P started putting on the rubber glove. Great. I could understand why a man would not look forward to continuing the practice, but I cannot excuse it, especially after this past year.
In October, the "digital" revealed a change in the shape of my prostate. The PSA test told the entire story. PSA stands for "Prostate Specific Antigen". To put it as simply as possible, your prostate releases yuck into your bloodstream. If it's throwing off a great deal of yuck, there's something wrong. My last 4 years' PSA readings were 1.0, 1.1, 1.4 and 8.7(!!!). I was referred to a urologist, who put the glove on. He confirmed, and ordered a biopsy. Longest 14 minutes of my life. 'Nuff said. The biopsy revealed cancer throughout the gland. What now? I was told to go home and start reading. And read I did. In the meantime, I had to take every other scan and x-ray in the world to make sure the disease hadn't spread. Thankfully, it had not. Early detection, guys. The annual checkup proves its value. I had to read, because I was going to decide what course of treatment I was to take. They don't make recommendations until you are versed in all of the choices. By the time I was done researching, I had decided to opt for radiation therapy. They essentially cook the gland until they kill the cancer. I went for 9 weeks, Monday thru Friday, before work. Each treatment lasted 20 minutes. It's been 2 months since completion, and my side effects (digestive) are almost gone. My PSA is now 0.2. I'll be taking a testosterone suppresant for 2 years, and will get my blood checked 3-4 times a year for 5 years. After that, I'm considered cured. Right now, they're calling it "remission".
In the U.S., there are more than 200,000 new detections of prostate cancer every year. Last year, more than 25,000 men died from the disease. You don't have to die from prostate cancer. But you have to go to the doctor every year. From the day of detection to the end of treatment was 6 months. I didn't miss work. And I obviously didn't miss Vining. I'm relieved, although I was "examined" more times than I'd care to share. But I'm not going to die from prostate cancer.
Don't miss your appointment. Please.
